Tue Aug 05 00:34:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:
**The Hindu: Wildlife Conflicts Sour Forest Views for Communities Near Indian National Parks**
**Bengaluru – August 5, 2025:** A new study reveals a concerning trend: negative encounters with wildlife are significantly eroding positive attitudes towards forests among communities living near protected areas in India. The research, conducted by the Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS) around Bandipur and Nagarahole National Parks, highlights the urgent need for improved wildlife conflict mitigation strategies and sustainable livelihood options for local residents.
The study, titled ‘Contradictions in Conservation: Education, Income, and the Desire to Live Near Forest Ecosystems,’ surveyed 699 landowners bordering the parks. Researchers found that those who had experienced conflicts with wildlife were dramatically less likely to appreciate living near the forest. Specifically, they were 116% less likely to enjoy living near the forests and 67% less likely to perceive them as contributing to a pleasant environment.
“The study revealed a strong link between negative experiences with wildlife and attitudes toward forests,” CWS stated in a release.
The research team, led by Dincy Mariyam from CWS, along with Sumeet Gulati from University of British Columbia, and Krithi K. Karanth from CWS, also explored how education and income levels influenced perceptions. The study found that higher education and income were correlated with a greater understanding of the benefits forests provide. However, the lack of local employment opportunities can negate these positives, driving educated individuals to seek opportunities in urban centers and away from forest environments.
Dr. Mariyam emphasized the importance of engaging with these communities to promote conservation. “Dialogue with these communities could promote conservation through creating local employment opportunities, tourism, agroforestry, or implementing incentives for conserving land in close proximity to forests,” she said.
CWS concluded that fostering local support for conservation requires a multi-pronged approach that addresses both the challenges of wildlife conflict and the need for sustainable, forest-linked livelihoods. The study underscores the critical need to bridge the gap between conservation efforts and the lived experiences of communities who share their land with wildlife.
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